CD Ladder Calculator
Plan a CD ladder by splitting your cash evenly across several certificates, each with its own term and APY. See what every rung is worth at maturity, the interest earned and a single blended APY for the whole ladder.
How to use the CD ladder calculator
- Enter the total amount you want to put into CDs.
- Add a rung for each certificate with its term in months and its APY.
- Review the per-rung maturity values, total interest and the blended APY.
Examples
12,000 split across 12, 24 and 36 month CDs at 5% APY
Total 12000, rungs 12mo/24mo/36mo all at 5% APY, annual compounding
4,000 per rung maturing to 4,200, 4,410 and 4,630.50; blended APY 5%
Frequently asked questions
What is a CD ladder?
A CD ladder splits your money across several certificates of deposit with staggered terms, for example one, two and three years. As each shorter CD matures you reinvest it into a new longer-term CD, so you keep part of your cash maturing regularly while still earning the higher rates that longer terms usually pay.
How does this calculator split my money?
It divides the total amount equally across the rungs you add. With three rungs and a 12,000 total, each rung gets 4,000. Each rung then grows to maturity at its own APY and term.
How is the maturity value of each rung calculated?
For annual compounding each rung grows by principal times (1 + APY) raised to the term in years, so 4,000 at 5% APY over one year matures to 4,200. With monthly compounding the rate is split into twelve monthly periods instead, which produces a slightly higher value.
What is the blended APY?
The blended APY is the principal-weighted average of the APYs across all your rungs. Because the total is split equally here, it works out to the simple average of the rung APYs, giving you one headline rate for the whole ladder.
Do you store my numbers or send them anywhere?
No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser. Your total, terms and APYs are never sent to a server or saved, so nothing leaves your device.
Are the results guaranteed?
The figures are estimates based on the APYs and terms you enter. Your bank's exact compounding convention, rounding, early-withdrawal penalties and any taxes can make the real payout differ slightly.
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